Cigarette case created in the Łódź ghetto
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 2.990 inches (7.595 cm) | Width: 4.020 inches (10.211 cm) | Depth: 10.200 inches (25.908 cm)
Creator(s)
- Bernard Fleming (Subject)
Archival History
The cigarette case was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1996 by Bernard Fleming.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Bert and Irene Fleming
Scope and Content
Cigarette case created in the Łódź Ghetto. It was given as a gift to Bernard Fleming (original surname Fuchs) by the members of his labor unit in the Lodz ghetto in 1941. This case was hidden by friends of the Flemings during WWII, was recovered after the end of the war, and ultimately returned to Bernard Fleming. Translation of the inscription on the case reads: "To our dear leader, Bernard Fuchs, on his birthday from his O.D. [Jewish Order Police] men, S. Wolkowyski and D. Pyttel/Litzmannstadt Ghetto, September 17, 1941."; upper right, "The founder and honored leader of the labor department from his first colleagues/28-VI 28-VI/BF"; lower right, "Our dear leader Bernard Fuchs/the staff of the labor insertion unit/Litzmannstadt Ghetto, May 29, 1941."
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Engraved with inscriptions and graphic designs on back of case; inside, yellow bands for holding cigarettes.
recto: upper left, bears inscription with Star of David, "Unserem/lieben Leiter/Bernard Fuchs/zu seinem Geburtstage/seine O.D. Maenner/S. Wolkowyski D. Pyttel/Litzm. Getto. 17/IX 1941"; upper right corner, raised book-shaped design with images of two Stars of David, two laborers, a tassled book mark, the initials, "B.F.", and the inscription, "Dem/Gruender/und/verehrten/Leiter/des/Arbeitsreferates/von seinen/ersten/Mitarbeitern/28-VI/28-VI"; bottom, raised logo of crossed axe, pick and shovel; raised plaque bearing inscription with Star of David, "Unserem teuren Leiter/Bernard Fuchs/das Personal/des Arbeitseinsatz-Abteilung/Litzmanstadt-Getto, 29.V.41."
Genre
- Personal Equipment and Supplies
- Object